Physics Research Scientist - CeNTREX

Updated: 24 days ago
Location: Lemont, ILLINOIS
Job Type: FullTime

The Fundamental Symmetries group in Argonne’s Physics Division hosts a range of on-site experiments aimed at detecting phenomena beyond the Standard Model of particle physics.  We are seeking a highly self-motivated research scientist to participate in these experiments, with an initial focus on the CeNTREX search for the proton’s electric dipole moment.

In this position, you will:

  • Participate in all aspects of the CeNTREX experiment, including conceptual and instrumental design, fabrication, operation, and development of various subsystems for the experiment, including cryogenic, vacuum, laser/optical, microwave, high voltage, and data acquisition/control systems

  • Interface with other groups collaborating on CeNTREX

  • Participate in numerical simulations and data analysis

  • Participate in writing of scientific manuscripts, presentation of results at scientific conferences, and project reports.

  • Provide day-to-day supervision and mentoring of both graduate and undergraduate students participating in on-site activities for CeNTREX

  • Act as safety coordinator for CeNTREX

  • Interface with other members of the Fundamental Symmetries group and their projects

Position Requirements

To be considered you must have:

  •  PhD. in experimental nuclear, atomic/molecular/optical, or related areas of physics.

  • Strong self-motivation, desire and skill to perform a wide variety of hands-on and sometimes physically demanding laboratory work with only general direction from supervisors

  • Creativity in devising and implementing solutions to new and complex technical problems

  • Technical judgement based on the capability to recognize a problem and then apply basic principles of physics and engineering to devise solutions.

  • Strong desire to interact with and mentor students from a variety of backgrounds and levels of experience.

  • Capability to work effectively on technical problems in a fast-paced, demanding, and oftentimes, deadline driven environment

  • Substantial hands-on experience with tunable laser systems, vacuum systems, cryogenics, rf and microwave electronics, and high voltage systems.

  • Substantial experience developing and operating data acquisition/control systems, including both hardware and software.

  • Substantial experience with numerical simulations of quantum-mechanical systems.

  • Strong communication skills and the desire and ability to discuss technical ideas closely with colleagues, including off-site collaborators.

  • Strong housekeeping practices

  • Ability to model Argonne’s core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork.

Preferred skills and experience:

  • Two or more years postdoctoral experience on tests of fundamental symmetries using atomic/molecular/optical techniques

  • Prior experience with high-power, tunable ultraviolet laser systems

  • Strong background in concepts of molecular physics

  • Prior experience with cryogenic molecular beam sources

Job Family

Research Development (RD)

Job Profile

Physics 2

Worker Type

Regular

Time Type

Full time


As an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. In support of this commitment, Argonne encourages minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities to apply for employment. Argonne considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.



Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne's Legal Department.  

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